AS THE RWANDAN MUSIC INDUSTRY keeps growing both at home and abroad, it is also attracting more refined artistes in different corners of the world. Apart from the likes of Meddy, The Ben, and K8 Kavuyo, The New Times brings you young talented musicians in the diaspora pushing Rwandan music in the West. Kavo The 17-year-old is taking UK’s drill by storm. Kavo is a Birmingham-based Rwandan rapper behind energetic tracks such as Air Force, F** my ex, ‘Lean,’ among others The rapper only started releasing music in March last year, and within that short amount of time, he has amassed quite a respectable following, reaching over 2.5 million streams since his first release. The young rapper has made a splash from his first release, ‘Billy X Pain’, which has gained tremendous traction, garnering around one million views on YouTube. The song saw radio plays on reputable stations such as BBC Radio 1, and support from heavyweights within the UK rap scene including Skepta, Chip, D Double E and even a nod from footballer Raheem Sterling. With all the hit songs the young driller made in the past few months, there is no doubt that he is definitely an artiste to look out for. Young CK You can’t talk about Rwandan music in the diaspora without mentioning Young CK, the Canadian based Rwandan artiste who produced one of the best hit songs of 2020 dubbed Umugabo. Real name, Calvin Ngabo Kagehe, the singer is a Rwandan based in Ottawa, Canada, where he relocated in 2017 to pursue his studies. With more releases including his recently hit song ‘420’, Young CK is promising to take Rwandan music places. Yannick MYK You have certainly heard a tag, Yannick made this, in most trap and hip hop songs released in the past few years. It is a tag by Yannick MyK, one of the pioneers of Kinya trap music based in the USA. Yannick first appeared on the music scene as a producer working with the likes of Sogokuru and later started recording his own tracks. He has produced a number of EPs and albums including ‘Isekuleim’, ‘Afro Killa’, and featured top upcoming rappers such as Ish Kevin, Papa Cyangwe, Kivumbi King, Maestroboomin, among others. Yannick is not only an artiste to watch but a producer changing the music game Rita Ange Kagaju Rita Ange Kagaju is one of the favourite emerging female artistes to watch following the release of her debut album “Sweat and Thunder”. The 20-year-old singer signed to IDA Records is currently pursuing her studies in the United States. She is among the few female Rwandan vocalists who worked with big producers in Rwanda such as Eloi El, Motif, Madebeats, Pastor P, Dany Beats and many others. With hit songs like ‘Have’, ‘Ok’, and ‘No offense’, there is no doubt that Ritha Ange Kagaju is definitely an artiste to watch. Shaffy Shaffy is a Rwandan artiste based in America who rose to fame after being signed by The Ben in Rockhill music. The fast-rising talented vocalist and songwriter is another newcomer with impressive vibes. His singles “Akabanga”, “Sukuma” and Naruguyemo, are enjoying massive airplay in Rwanda.
